جدیدترین مطالب

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.

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Reza Majidzadeh

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

2024/07/06

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Chinese officials have recently warned that Europe’s approach to importing electric cars from China will spark a trade war because heavy tariffs have been imposed on importing Chinese-made electric cars.

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

2022/06/08

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Yoval Noah Harari in the preface to the book “God-like man; A Brief History of the Future” believes that man today has overcome the historical dangers of war and famine, and that peace has become a stable condition and a new rule. Hence, wars or famines like the past are unlikely or their catastrophic consequences will be diminished.
Reza Majidzadeh-Researcher of the political economy of development

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

2022/03/31

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, two important events occurred in the energy market; first, the negative expectation shock in the field of oil supply, which led to an unprecedented rise in oil prices in recent years and second, the European and American approach to Russian energy (oil and gas) imports has intensified efforts to find alternative resources.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Institute

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

2022/01/18

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The central banks in various countries have recently begun to increase their gold reserves, so that the reserves of this precious metal have reached their highest level in the last three decades. Such a trend becomes even more important when the measure of the central banks coincides with a reduction in the US dollar assets and in the midst of Federal Reserve meetings to decide on the US interest rates and purchase of bonds.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

2021/12/04

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Joe Biden recently met with prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India in the United States. It was in 2007 that the first meeting of the Quad Group (the US, Australia, Japan and India) was held in New York in order to confront China’s growing power in the two diplomacy and security areas in Indo-Pacific region.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

2021/10/30

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although China has not moved toward an armed conflict in its field competition on Earth and has pursued a strategy of building dependence and debtorship, but the nature of competition in space is as such that it requires at least confrontation or indirect or even soft war.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

2021/10/06

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the latest struggle between the U.S. and China, this can be considered in line with the competitions of the two countries at global level; the struggle that shows global competition between the U.S. and China has extended to international organizations too. The attitude of the World Health Organization on Corona pandemic and its positions towards China’s responsibility are also indications that support the competition. Now, the more important question is; what will be the future of the IMF and which direction will it go along with other international bodies? How the financial and monetary markets will be affected?
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director, Simorgh Development Group, Millennium Plan Think-tank

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

2021/10/03

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology which has the capability of contemplation and can imitate the smart behavior of humans. Machine learning and pattern recognition are among the most important applications of Artificial Intelligence.
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director of Simorgh Development, Millennium Plan think-tank

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

2021/08/02

Strategic Council Online: China has recently boycotted as many as 70 organs and citizens of the United States, among them Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce of Donald Trump administration is seen. This is a reaction to the similar measure taken by the US to boycott seven Chinese authorities. The action-reaction measure is considered as the continuation of the trade war launched during the Trump administration. Now, the question is: What are the leverages and capabilities of the two countries? How this confrontation will proceed?
Reza Majidzade, Researcher, development political economics

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

2021/07/18

Strategic Council Online – The latest G7 summit showed that the conflict among the big world powers is intensifying and the world is moving towards a greater confrontation of the big powers.
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of the political economy of development

أحدث الوظائف

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.

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Reza Majidzadeh

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

2024/07/06

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Chinese officials have recently warned that Europe’s approach to importing electric cars from China will spark a trade war because heavy tariffs have been imposed on importing Chinese-made electric cars.

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

2022/06/08

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Yoval Noah Harari in the preface to the book “God-like man; A Brief History of the Future” believes that man today has overcome the historical dangers of war and famine, and that peace has become a stable condition and a new rule. Hence, wars or famines like the past are unlikely or their catastrophic consequences will be diminished.
Reza Majidzadeh-Researcher of the political economy of development

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

2022/03/31

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, two important events occurred in the energy market; first, the negative expectation shock in the field of oil supply, which led to an unprecedented rise in oil prices in recent years and second, the European and American approach to Russian energy (oil and gas) imports has intensified efforts to find alternative resources.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Institute

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

2022/01/18

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The central banks in various countries have recently begun to increase their gold reserves, so that the reserves of this precious metal have reached their highest level in the last three decades. Such a trend becomes even more important when the measure of the central banks coincides with a reduction in the US dollar assets and in the midst of Federal Reserve meetings to decide on the US interest rates and purchase of bonds.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

2021/12/04

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Joe Biden recently met with prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India in the United States. It was in 2007 that the first meeting of the Quad Group (the US, Australia, Japan and India) was held in New York in order to confront China’s growing power in the two diplomacy and security areas in Indo-Pacific region.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

2021/10/30

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although China has not moved toward an armed conflict in its field competition on Earth and has pursued a strategy of building dependence and debtorship, but the nature of competition in space is as such that it requires at least confrontation or indirect or even soft war.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

2021/10/06

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the latest struggle between the U.S. and China, this can be considered in line with the competitions of the two countries at global level; the struggle that shows global competition between the U.S. and China has extended to international organizations too. The attitude of the World Health Organization on Corona pandemic and its positions towards China’s responsibility are also indications that support the competition. Now, the more important question is; what will be the future of the IMF and which direction will it go along with other international bodies? How the financial and monetary markets will be affected?
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director, Simorgh Development Group, Millennium Plan Think-tank

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

2021/10/03

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology which has the capability of contemplation and can imitate the smart behavior of humans. Machine learning and pattern recognition are among the most important applications of Artificial Intelligence.
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director of Simorgh Development, Millennium Plan think-tank

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

2021/08/02

Strategic Council Online: China has recently boycotted as many as 70 organs and citizens of the United States, among them Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce of Donald Trump administration is seen. This is a reaction to the similar measure taken by the US to boycott seven Chinese authorities. The action-reaction measure is considered as the continuation of the trade war launched during the Trump administration. Now, the question is: What are the leverages and capabilities of the two countries? How this confrontation will proceed?
Reza Majidzade, Researcher, development political economics

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

2021/07/18

Strategic Council Online – The latest G7 summit showed that the conflict among the big world powers is intensifying and the world is moving towards a greater confrontation of the big powers.
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of the political economy of development

Reza Majidzadeh

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

2024/07/06

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Chinese officials have recently warned that Europe’s approach to importing electric cars from China will spark a trade war because heavy tariffs have been imposed on importing Chinese-made electric cars.

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

2022/06/08

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Yoval Noah Harari in the preface to the book “God-like man; A Brief History of the Future” believes that man today has overcome the historical dangers of war and famine, and that peace has become a stable condition and a new rule. Hence, wars or famines like the past are unlikely or their catastrophic consequences will be diminished.
Reza Majidzadeh-Researcher of the political economy of development

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

2022/03/31

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, two important events occurred in the energy market; first, the negative expectation shock in the field of oil supply, which led to an unprecedented rise in oil prices in recent years and second, the European and American approach to Russian energy (oil and gas) imports has intensified efforts to find alternative resources.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Institute

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

2022/01/18

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The central banks in various countries have recently begun to increase their gold reserves, so that the reserves of this precious metal have reached their highest level in the last three decades. Such a trend becomes even more important when the measure of the central banks coincides with a reduction in the US dollar assets and in the midst of Federal Reserve meetings to decide on the US interest rates and purchase of bonds.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

2021/12/04

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Joe Biden recently met with prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India in the United States. It was in 2007 that the first meeting of the Quad Group (the US, Australia, Japan and India) was held in New York in order to confront China’s growing power in the two diplomacy and security areas in Indo-Pacific region.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

2021/10/30

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although China has not moved toward an armed conflict in its field competition on Earth and has pursued a strategy of building dependence and debtorship, but the nature of competition in space is as such that it requires at least confrontation or indirect or even soft war.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

2021/10/06

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the latest struggle between the U.S. and China, this can be considered in line with the competitions of the two countries at global level; the struggle that shows global competition between the U.S. and China has extended to international organizations too. The attitude of the World Health Organization on Corona pandemic and its positions towards China’s responsibility are also indications that support the competition. Now, the more important question is; what will be the future of the IMF and which direction will it go along with other international bodies? How the financial and monetary markets will be affected?
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director, Simorgh Development Group, Millennium Plan Think-tank

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

2021/10/03

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology which has the capability of contemplation and can imitate the smart behavior of humans. Machine learning and pattern recognition are among the most important applications of Artificial Intelligence.
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director of Simorgh Development, Millennium Plan think-tank

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

2021/08/02

Strategic Council Online: China has recently boycotted as many as 70 organs and citizens of the United States, among them Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce of Donald Trump administration is seen. This is a reaction to the similar measure taken by the US to boycott seven Chinese authorities. The action-reaction measure is considered as the continuation of the trade war launched during the Trump administration. Now, the question is: What are the leverages and capabilities of the two countries? How this confrontation will proceed?
Reza Majidzade, Researcher, development political economics

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

2021/07/18

Strategic Council Online – The latest G7 summit showed that the conflict among the big world powers is intensifying and the world is moving towards a greater confrontation of the big powers.
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of the political economy of development

LATEST CONTENT

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.

Loading

Reza Majidzadeh

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

2024/07/06

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Chinese officials have recently warned that Europe’s approach to importing electric cars from China will spark a trade war because heavy tariffs have been imposed on importing Chinese-made electric cars.

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

2022/06/08

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Yoval Noah Harari in the preface to the book “God-like man; A Brief History of the Future” believes that man today has overcome the historical dangers of war and famine, and that peace has become a stable condition and a new rule. Hence, wars or famines like the past are unlikely or their catastrophic consequences will be diminished.
Reza Majidzadeh-Researcher of the political economy of development

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

2022/03/31

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, two important events occurred in the energy market; first, the negative expectation shock in the field of oil supply, which led to an unprecedented rise in oil prices in recent years and second, the European and American approach to Russian energy (oil and gas) imports has intensified efforts to find alternative resources.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Institute

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

2022/01/18

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The central banks in various countries have recently begun to increase their gold reserves, so that the reserves of this precious metal have reached their highest level in the last three decades. Such a trend becomes even more important when the measure of the central banks coincides with a reduction in the US dollar assets and in the midst of Federal Reserve meetings to decide on the US interest rates and purchase of bonds.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

2021/12/04

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Joe Biden recently met with prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India in the United States. It was in 2007 that the first meeting of the Quad Group (the US, Australia, Japan and India) was held in New York in order to confront China’s growing power in the two diplomacy and security areas in Indo-Pacific region.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

2021/10/30

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although China has not moved toward an armed conflict in its field competition on Earth and has pursued a strategy of building dependence and debtorship, but the nature of competition in space is as such that it requires at least confrontation or indirect or even soft war.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

2021/10/06

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the latest struggle between the U.S. and China, this can be considered in line with the competitions of the two countries at global level; the struggle that shows global competition between the U.S. and China has extended to international organizations too. The attitude of the World Health Organization on Corona pandemic and its positions towards China’s responsibility are also indications that support the competition. Now, the more important question is; what will be the future of the IMF and which direction will it go along with other international bodies? How the financial and monetary markets will be affected?
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director, Simorgh Development Group, Millennium Plan Think-tank

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

2021/10/03

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology which has the capability of contemplation and can imitate the smart behavior of humans. Machine learning and pattern recognition are among the most important applications of Artificial Intelligence.
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director of Simorgh Development, Millennium Plan think-tank

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

2021/08/02

Strategic Council Online: China has recently boycotted as many as 70 organs and citizens of the United States, among them Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce of Donald Trump administration is seen. This is a reaction to the similar measure taken by the US to boycott seven Chinese authorities. The action-reaction measure is considered as the continuation of the trade war launched during the Trump administration. Now, the question is: What are the leverages and capabilities of the two countries? How this confrontation will proceed?
Reza Majidzade, Researcher, development political economics

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

2021/07/18

Strategic Council Online – The latest G7 summit showed that the conflict among the big world powers is intensifying and the world is moving towards a greater confrontation of the big powers.
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of the political economy of development

ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.

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Reza Majidzadeh

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

2024/07/06

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Chinese officials have recently warned that Europe’s approach to importing electric cars from China will spark a trade war because heavy tariffs have been imposed on importing Chinese-made electric cars.

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

2022/06/08

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Yoval Noah Harari in the preface to the book “God-like man; A Brief History of the Future” believes that man today has overcome the historical dangers of war and famine, and that peace has become a stable condition and a new rule. Hence, wars or famines like the past are unlikely or their catastrophic consequences will be diminished.
Reza Majidzadeh-Researcher of the political economy of development

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

2022/03/31

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, two important events occurred in the energy market; first, the negative expectation shock in the field of oil supply, which led to an unprecedented rise in oil prices in recent years and second, the European and American approach to Russian energy (oil and gas) imports has intensified efforts to find alternative resources.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Institute

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

2022/01/18

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The central banks in various countries have recently begun to increase their gold reserves, so that the reserves of this precious metal have reached their highest level in the last three decades. Such a trend becomes even more important when the measure of the central banks coincides with a reduction in the US dollar assets and in the midst of Federal Reserve meetings to decide on the US interest rates and purchase of bonds.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

2021/12/04

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Joe Biden recently met with prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India in the United States. It was in 2007 that the first meeting of the Quad Group (the US, Australia, Japan and India) was held in New York in order to confront China’s growing power in the two diplomacy and security areas in Indo-Pacific region.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

2021/10/30

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although China has not moved toward an armed conflict in its field competition on Earth and has pursued a strategy of building dependence and debtorship, but the nature of competition in space is as such that it requires at least confrontation or indirect or even soft war.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

2021/10/06

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the latest struggle between the U.S. and China, this can be considered in line with the competitions of the two countries at global level; the struggle that shows global competition between the U.S. and China has extended to international organizations too. The attitude of the World Health Organization on Corona pandemic and its positions towards China’s responsibility are also indications that support the competition. Now, the more important question is; what will be the future of the IMF and which direction will it go along with other international bodies? How the financial and monetary markets will be affected?
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director, Simorgh Development Group, Millennium Plan Think-tank

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

2021/10/03

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology which has the capability of contemplation and can imitate the smart behavior of humans. Machine learning and pattern recognition are among the most important applications of Artificial Intelligence.
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director of Simorgh Development, Millennium Plan think-tank

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

2021/08/02

Strategic Council Online: China has recently boycotted as many as 70 organs and citizens of the United States, among them Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce of Donald Trump administration is seen. This is a reaction to the similar measure taken by the US to boycott seven Chinese authorities. The action-reaction measure is considered as the continuation of the trade war launched during the Trump administration. Now, the question is: What are the leverages and capabilities of the two countries? How this confrontation will proceed?
Reza Majidzade, Researcher, development political economics

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

2021/07/18

Strategic Council Online – The latest G7 summit showed that the conflict among the big world powers is intensifying and the world is moving towards a greater confrontation of the big powers.
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of the political economy of development

ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.

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Reza Majidzadeh

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

2024/07/06

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Chinese officials have recently warned that Europe’s approach to importing electric cars from China will spark a trade war because heavy tariffs have been imposed on importing Chinese-made electric cars.

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

2022/06/08

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Yoval Noah Harari in the preface to the book “God-like man; A Brief History of the Future” believes that man today has overcome the historical dangers of war and famine, and that peace has become a stable condition and a new rule. Hence, wars or famines like the past are unlikely or their catastrophic consequences will be diminished.
Reza Majidzadeh-Researcher of the political economy of development

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

2022/03/31

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, two important events occurred in the energy market; first, the negative expectation shock in the field of oil supply, which led to an unprecedented rise in oil prices in recent years and second, the European and American approach to Russian energy (oil and gas) imports has intensified efforts to find alternative resources.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Institute

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

2022/01/18

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The central banks in various countries have recently begun to increase their gold reserves, so that the reserves of this precious metal have reached their highest level in the last three decades. Such a trend becomes even more important when the measure of the central banks coincides with a reduction in the US dollar assets and in the midst of Federal Reserve meetings to decide on the US interest rates and purchase of bonds.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

2021/12/04

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Joe Biden recently met with prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India in the United States. It was in 2007 that the first meeting of the Quad Group (the US, Australia, Japan and India) was held in New York in order to confront China’s growing power in the two diplomacy and security areas in Indo-Pacific region.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

2021/10/30

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although China has not moved toward an armed conflict in its field competition on Earth and has pursued a strategy of building dependence and debtorship, but the nature of competition in space is as such that it requires at least confrontation or indirect or even soft war.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

2021/10/06

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the latest struggle between the U.S. and China, this can be considered in line with the competitions of the two countries at global level; the struggle that shows global competition between the U.S. and China has extended to international organizations too. The attitude of the World Health Organization on Corona pandemic and its positions towards China’s responsibility are also indications that support the competition. Now, the more important question is; what will be the future of the IMF and which direction will it go along with other international bodies? How the financial and monetary markets will be affected?
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director, Simorgh Development Group, Millennium Plan Think-tank

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

2021/10/03

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology which has the capability of contemplation and can imitate the smart behavior of humans. Machine learning and pattern recognition are among the most important applications of Artificial Intelligence.
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director of Simorgh Development, Millennium Plan think-tank

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

2021/08/02

Strategic Council Online: China has recently boycotted as many as 70 organs and citizens of the United States, among them Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce of Donald Trump administration is seen. This is a reaction to the similar measure taken by the US to boycott seven Chinese authorities. The action-reaction measure is considered as the continuation of the trade war launched during the Trump administration. Now, the question is: What are the leverages and capabilities of the two countries? How this confrontation will proceed?
Reza Majidzade, Researcher, development political economics

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

2021/07/18

Strategic Council Online – The latest G7 summit showed that the conflict among the big world powers is intensifying and the world is moving towards a greater confrontation of the big powers.
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of the political economy of development

ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.

Loading

Reza Majidzadeh

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

EU and China on the Verge of Trade War?

2024/07/06

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Chinese officials have recently warned that Europe’s approach to importing electric cars from China will spark a trade war because heavy tariffs have been imposed on importing Chinese-made electric cars.

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

What happened at the Davos 2022 Meeting?

2022/06/08

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Yoval Noah Harari in the preface to the book “God-like man; A Brief History of the Future” believes that man today has overcome the historical dangers of war and famine, and that peace has become a stable condition and a new rule. Hence, wars or famines like the past are unlikely or their catastrophic consequences will be diminished.
Reza Majidzadeh-Researcher of the political economy of development

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

Impact of Ukraine Crisis on Energy Market, Opportunity ahead

2022/03/31

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, two important events occurred in the energy market; first, the negative expectation shock in the field of oil supply, which led to an unprecedented rise in oil prices in recent years and second, the European and American approach to Russian energy (oil and gas) imports has intensified efforts to find alternative resources.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Institute

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

Reasons for Central Banks to Increase Gold Reserves

2022/01/18

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The central banks in various countries have recently begun to increase their gold reserves, so that the reserves of this precious metal have reached their highest level in the last three decades. Such a trend becomes even more important when the measure of the central banks coincides with a reduction in the US dollar assets and in the midst of Federal Reserve meetings to decide on the US interest rates and purchase of bonds.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

Quad; Strategic Partnership in Soft Confrontation with China

2021/12/04

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Joe Biden recently met with prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India in the United States. It was in 2007 that the first meeting of the Quad Group (the US, Australia, Japan and India) was held in New York in order to confront China’s growing power in the two diplomacy and security areas in Indo-Pacific region.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

China’s Space Strategy, Its Implications

2021/10/30

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although China has not moved toward an armed conflict in its field competition on Earth and has pursued a strategy of building dependence and debtorship, but the nature of competition in space is as such that it requires at least confrontation or indirect or even soft war.
Reza Majidzadeh – Director of Simorgh Development Working Group, Pasargad Millennium Plan Think Tank

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

Consequences of the US & China Struggles at the IMF

2021/10/06

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the latest struggle between the U.S. and China, this can be considered in line with the competitions of the two countries at global level; the struggle that shows global competition between the U.S. and China has extended to international organizations too. The attitude of the World Health Organization on Corona pandemic and its positions towards China’s responsibility are also indications that support the competition. Now, the more important question is; what will be the future of the IMF and which direction will it go along with other international bodies? How the financial and monetary markets will be affected?
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director, Simorgh Development Group, Millennium Plan Think-tank

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

Applied Areas of Artificial Intelligence with Strategic Application

2021/10/03

Strategic Council Online- Opinion: Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology which has the capability of contemplation and can imitate the smart behavior of humans. Machine learning and pattern recognition are among the most important applications of Artificial Intelligence.
Reza Majid-Zadeh, Director of Simorgh Development, Millennium Plan think-tank

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

Mutual Sanction of the US & China; Conceivable Scenarios

2021/08/02

Strategic Council Online: China has recently boycotted as many as 70 organs and citizens of the United States, among them Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce of Donald Trump administration is seen. This is a reaction to the similar measure taken by the US to boycott seven Chinese authorities. The action-reaction measure is considered as the continuation of the trade war launched during the Trump administration. Now, the question is: What are the leverages and capabilities of the two countries? How this confrontation will proceed?
Reza Majidzade, Researcher, development political economics

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

Future of Conflicts among Big Powers

2021/07/18

Strategic Council Online – The latest G7 summit showed that the conflict among the big world powers is intensifying and the world is moving towards a greater confrontation of the big powers.
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of the political economy of development

ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.

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